Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Reflections of a 24-Hour Hermit

I did not receive visitors yesterday.

On Saturday night, my son's elementary school held its annual fundraiser and I was one of the many foot soldiers who, over the past four months, helped bring the night to fruition. It was a success. But I woke up Sunday morning absolutely shattered. So I decided I needed to spend Monday on a self-imposed retreat.

After Luca left for school, the front gate was locked, the phone ringer was turned down and I put a temporary moratorium on the computer. The camera was allowed, for verification purposes only.

Here's what I did:

1. Sat in the refuge of my garden with with a Gulliver-sized teapot of Earl Grey beside me and sipped at leisure.

2. Finally finished Alan Bennett's The Uncommon Reader,In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan, Down the Garden Path by Beverley Nichols and Looking Back by Shusha Guppy. (I had only a chapter or so to go on each.)

9. Concocted an afternoon cocktail: iced Campari mixed with San Pellegrino Aranciata and a sprig of mint. For some reason, those ingredients brought Gore Vidal's home in Italy to mind, so I hereby dub it a "Ravello Restorative."

28 comments:

hello heaven?! That sounds like a WONDERFUL day and use of time. The next time I find myself home alone with no kids and nothing too too pressing to tend to, I'm going to take a page from your book. Literally & figuratively. Reading in the garden, with a good drink and no telephone. Ah, I feel more relaxed just thinking about it! Good call.

What a lovely post to allow us to have a glimpse of your life in a day. Looking Back by Shusha Guppy - such a great book! It is one of the books that I must have had beside my bed. Highlights are Anita Brookner's introduction, her interview with Diana Mosley (Guppy's description of Mosley's house is beautiful but Diana's recalling her acquaintance with Hitler left me shocked and astounded) and Frances Partridge.

I cannot even tell you how perfect that day sounds. Right down to the campari cocktail. Stroke of genius using the san pellegrino by the way...I used to stick with campari, gin and orange juice but your concoction sounds much more delicious.

Sounds fabulous! For another great aperativo try Aperol with prosecco and a splash of soda water and plenty of ice - I've just got back from Italy and have sipped them every evening pre-dinner. Delicious!!